Charlie Waller Trust

The Charlie Waller Trust is dedicated to empowering young people to take care of their mental wellbeing. We focus on helping individuals recognise the signs of depression in themselves and others, encouraging timely help-seeking. The Trust ensures that expert, evidence-based support is accessible when needed.

Our work in suicide prevention

We achieve our aims through a range of initiatives, including delivering talks to young people and providing resources via the Students Against Depression website. We also train teachers and professionals to identify and support individuals experiencing depression, and we contribute to research and teaching in evidence-based therapies through the Charlie Waller Institute at the University of Reading.

Our current priorities

Our work aims to improve resilience and emotional well-being in schools, with a focus on preventing mental ill health and reducing the risk of suicide. By providing training in schools and youth settings, we aim to raise awareness, foster open discussion, and ensure access to appropriate support when needed.

We are also developing new resources, including a Model Policy for Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Schools and a guide on self-harm. We are committed to enhancing the Students Against Depression website as an interactive self-help resource. In collaboration with university counselling and mental health services, we plan to develop training for staff to equip them with the tools to provide early support to students experiencing mental health challenges.

Our current challenges

For schools, the current OFSTED inspection framework is too focused on attainment and therefore it is difficult for schools to devote time and resources to building the resilience and emotional wellbeing that may protect against suicide.